ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2010 State Policies / Activities

Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • fax 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org

The following summary includes policies enacted in 2010. This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. To view the documents, click on the blue triangle next to the topic of interest. To view all, press the button located at the top labeled "Expand All."

Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date].

State Status/Date Level Summary
+ 21st Century Skills
+ Accountability
+ Accountability--Accreditation
+ Accountability--Measures/Indicators
+ Accountability--Reporting Results
+ Accountability--Rewards
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--Takeovers
+ Accountability--School Improvement
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--College Entrance Exams
+ Assessment--Computer Based
+ Assessment--Formative/Interim
+ Assessment--Value Added
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Compulsory
+ Attendance--Statutory Ages (Upper and Lower)
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Business Involvement
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Charter Districts
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Cyber Charters
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment--Research
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Civic Knowledge and Literacy
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Alignment
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Censorship
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Excusal
+ Curriculum--Family Living Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Geography Education
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Equity
+ Federal
+ Finance
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ Finance--Private Giving
+ Finance--Resource Efficiency
+ Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures
+ Finance--Student Fees
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues
+ Governance
+ Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule
+ Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest
+ Governance--Mandates
+ Governance--School Boards
+ Governance--School Boards--Training
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Child Abuse
+ Health--Mental Health
+ Health--Nutrition
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Suicide Prevention
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--College Readiness
+ High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ International Benchmarking
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ Leadership--District Superintendent--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Certification and Licensure
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Induction Programs and Mentoring
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation--Alternative
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure
+ Middle School
+ Minority/Diversity Issues
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--Hispanic
+ No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress
+ No Child Left Behind--Assessment
+ No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools
+ No Child Left Behind--Finance
+ No Child Left Behind--Reauthorization Issues/Waivers
+ No Child Left Behind--Report Cards
+ No Child Left Behind--School Support
+ No Child Left Behind--Special Populations
+ Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning
+ Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses
+ P-16 or P-20
+ P-3
+ P-3 Child Care
+ P-3 Content Standards and Assessment
+ P-3 Early Intervention (0-3)
+ P-3 Ensuring Quality
+ P-3 Evaluation/Economic Benefits
+ P-3 Family Involvement
+ P-3 Finance
+ P-3 Governance
+ P-3 Grades 1-3
+ P-3 Kindergarten
+ P-3 Preschool
+ P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
+ Parent/Family
+ Parent/Family--Parent Rights
+ Partnerships--University/School
+ Postsecondary
+ Postsecondary Accountability
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Diploma Mills
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Textbooks
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Undocumented Immigrants
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding
+ Postsecondary Finance--Facilities
+ Postsecondary Finance--Revenue and Expenditures
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures--Administrative/Leadership Issues
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures--State Executives/State Agencies
+ Postsecondary Institutions
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
+ Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Private/Independent
+ Postsecondary Online Instruction
+ Postsecondary Participation
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements
+ Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action
+ Postsecondary Students--Adults
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth
+ Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional
+ Postsecondary Students--International
+ Postsecondary Students--Military
+ Postsecondary Students--Minority
+ Postsecondary Success
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion--Completion Rates (Statistics)
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Rural
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Week
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year Round
+ School Climate/Culture
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Code of Conduct
+ School Safety--Corporal Punishment
+ School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness
+ School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
+ School Safety--Special Education
+ School/District Structure/Operations
+ School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Libraries
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching)
+ School/District Structure/Operations--School Size
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
+ Special Education
+ Special Education--Federal Law/Regulations
+ Special Education--Finance
+ Special Education--Placement
+ Special Education--Transition
+ Special Populations--Corrections Education
+ Special Populations--Foster Care
+ Special Populations--Gifted and Talented
+ Special Populations--Homeless Education
+ Special Populations--Migrant Education
+ Special Populations--Military
+ Standards
+ Standards--Common Core State Standards
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ STEM
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap
+ Student Supports
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
- Student Supports--Remediation
CASigned into law 10/2010P-12From bill summary: Makes inoperative until July 1, 2013 the requirement that districts offer programs of direct, systematic and intensive supplemental instruction (during summer, before or after school, on Saturdays or during intersession--not during the regular instructional day) to pupils in grades 2-9 who have been recommended for retention or who have been retained at their grade for the next year. Provides that until July 2013, relieved from performing any activities under this provision that are deemed to be reimbursable state mandates. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1601-1650/ab_1610_bill_20101019_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 1610 - Supplemental Instruction
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

TXAdopted 08/2010P-122007 H.B. 1270 requires an intensive reading and language intervention pilot program that had been permissive, and directs the commissioner to adopt rules to implement the program. Adopted as published in the March 26, 2010 Texas Register (pp 92-93 of 151): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0326/0326prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 102.1057
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us

GAVetoed 06/2010P-12Revises and clarifies language relating to the organization of schools serving grades 6, 7 and/or 8. Provides that schools serving any of those grades qualify for the middle school program for students. Eliminates provision that for students not performing on grade level, the minimum 5 hours of instruction that middle schools must provide must include remedial academic instruction in English/language arts, reading, math, science or social studies as required to bring such students to grade level performance. Eliminates provision allowing middle schools to submit a waiver request to the state board to schedule a minimum of 4.5 hours of academic instruction (instead of 5), and requiring the state board to grant such a request if the school has achieved an acceptable rating for the preceding year.

Amends provisions related to the scholarship program for K-12 special needs students. Requires specific eligibility notice to be provided to parents of students with a disability each January and April via letter, e-mail and, if the school system utilizes automated telephone calls, by such automated system. Also requires the district to ensure that a student is notified at each IEP meeting. Requires the department to provide scholarship application deadline opportunities on August 1, October 1 and March 1 of each school year for a student to transfer. Requires that quarterly scholarship payments from the department be paid in equal amounts, and that if a student enrolled in the participating school after the school's start date, on or before specified dates for students entering a school during each of four specified quarters. Specifies payment procedures if a quarterly payment date is missed because a student had not been enrolled in a school at least 10 days in the prior quarter.

Bill text: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/pdf/hb907.pdf
Governor's veto message: HB 907 was originally intended to allow additional flexibility for management of middle schools, which I support. During the legislative process, however, language from another bill was added which imposes onerous requirements on the Department of Education regarding the Special Needs Voucher, most significant of which was the unqualified requirement to pay such vouchers in four equal quarterly payments. In a budget environment as challenging as this one – an environment in which public schools are being forced to operate on smaller budgets – it is not appropriate to tie administrators' hands and require them to fund vouchers fully as they seek budget flexibility elsewhere during these uncertain economic times. For these reasons, I VETO HB 907. (From http://gov.georgia.gov/00/press/detail/0,2668,78006749_160096907_160291947,00.html)
Title: H.B. 907
Source: www.legis.state.ga.us

CTSigned into law 05/2010P-12Increases the minimum credits required for high school graduation from 20 to 25 and gives greater emphasis to math, science and world languages, beginning with the class of 2018. Students in the Class of 2018 will also be expected to complete "end of the school year examinations" (end-of-course exams) in Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, American History and Grade 10 English. Also requires every student to complete a "capstone project" (independent demonstration project). Beginning with classes graduating in 2018, requires local/regional boards of education to provide adequate student support and remedial services for students beginning in grade 7. Such services must provide an alternate means for a student to complete any high school graduation requirements or end of the year exams. Requires the local/regional board of education to adopt a policy for the granting of credit for on-line coursework. Further requires each local/regional board, beginning with the school year commencing July 1, 2012, to collect information for each student enrolled in public school, beginning in grade 6, that records students' career and academic choices in grades 6 to 12. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/ACT/PA/2010PA-00111-R00SB-00438-PA.htm
Title: S.B. 438 - Sec. 16
Source: http://www.cga.ct.gov

NYAdopted 04/2010P-12Establishes requirements for award of make-up credit to high school students. Adopted as proposed in January 2010: Pages 7-9 of 12: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2010/jan27/pdfs/rules.pdf
Title: Title 8 NYCRR Section 100.5
Source: www.dos.state.ny.us

INSigned into law 03/2010P-12 Adds a new chapter to the code, Chapter 8.5--Reading Deficiency Remediation Plan.
Requires the state superintendent and the state board to develop a plan to improve reading skills of students and implement appropriate remediation techniques for students. In addition to appropriate consultation with parents or guardians, the plan must include the following: (1) Reading skills standards for grade 1 through grade 3; (2) emphasis on the method for making determinant evaluations by grade 3 that might require remedial action for the student, including retention as a last resort, after other methods of remediation have been evaluated or used, or both, if reading skills are below the standard; (3) fiscal impact of each component of the plan must be taken into account. For any component of the plan that has a fiscal impact, the state superintendent must present those components of the plan to the general assembly. The state board is to adopt rules to carry out this chapter.
Adds a new chapter to the code, Chapter 16—School Fund Transfers.
Allows the governing board of a school corporation to adopt a resolution to transfer money during the 2010-2011 school year from its capital projects fund if no employees of the school corporation will receive a compensation increase for the 2010-2011 school year, excluding certain incidental or automatic increases, certain reimbursement to teachers for completion of professional education development courses, and a compensation increase paid to a teacher as a result of the teacher receiving an advanced higher education degree. Provides that the maximum amount that may be transferred from a school corporation's capital projects fund is equal to 10% of the sum of: (1) the balance in the school corporation's capital projects fund on December 31, 2009; plus (2) the amount of the school corporation's property tax levy for its capital projects fund for taxes first due and payable in 2010. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation and an exclusive representative may mutually agree to forego any salary or compensation increases that would otherwise be required for the 2010-2011 school year under the statutes concerning minimum teacher pay. Requires school corporations to adopt a plan to take the actions necessary and desirable to preserve and protect institutional programs. Provides that the plan must address class sizes, curriculum or program offerings, certificated employee positions and teaching assistants, allocation of resources to students who are deficient in reading skills and limitations on employee and administrative salaries and other compensation. Public Law 109
http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2010/HE/HE1367.1.html
Title: H.B. 1367
Source: http://www.in.gov/legislative

UTSigned into law 03/2010P-12Requires notification of a parent of a 1st, 2nd or 3rd grader, prior to midyear of the school term, that the student is reading below grade level, as determined by multiple assessments. Requires the district or charter school to provide information to the parent on reading remediation inteventions available through the district or charter school, and to provide focused reading remediation through appropriate interventions that may include tutoring, before and after school programs, or summer school assistance. Directs the state board to make rules defining expected reading levels for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. Directs the state board, by the November meeting of the Education Interim Committee, to annually report the number of students in grades 1-3 reading below grade level in the previous school year, and the number of such students who received reading intervention during the previous school year. Specifies that nothing in these provisions may be interpreted to imply that a student may or may not be advanced to the next grade level based on the student's reading ability as measured in accordance with these provisions. http://le.utah.gov/~2010/bills/sbillenr/sb0150.pdf
Title: S.B. 150
Source: le.utah.gov

+ Student Surveys
+ Students
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Employment
+ Students--K-12 Exchange Students
+ Students--Mobility
+ Students--Records/Rights
+ Teaching Quality
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Assignment
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Natl. Bd. for Prof. Teach. Stds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--State Prof. Standards Bds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Substitute Teachers
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Pay-for-Performance
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits
+ Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Teaching Quality--Induction Programs and Mentoring
+ Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals
+ Teaching Quality--Preparation
+ Teaching Quality--Professional Development
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--High-Needs Subjects
+ Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Teaching Quality--Working Conditions
+ Technology
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Research/Evaluation
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Whole-School Reform Models